This past Thanksgiving we came together across all six of our locations in Toronto to host our 8th Annual Turkey Drive — and what a day it was. Early in the morning, our teams were on site, setting up tables, un-boxing frozen turkeys and preparing to give away over 800 turkeys to families and community members who simply wanted one for their Thanksgiving dinner. No purchase necessary, one turkey per household — just goodwill and community spirit.
From the first rush of line-ups to the warm “thank yous” from people carrying turkeys home, the energy was powerful. We saw folks from all walks of life come out: families with young children, older neighbours, individuals alone, and groups of friends — all happy to receive something that often feels like more than just “a turkey” at this time of year. It’s a symbol of care, of “you’re part of this community,” and of everyone getting a chance to sit down to a meaningful meal.
At CAFE, our mission has always been clear: we believe that business isn’t just about what’s on the shelves, but about the role we play in our local neighbourhoods. This turkey drive is one of our favourite ways to live that mission. We’re not only handing out a frozen bird, we’re saying: we see you, we value you, we’re committed to bettering lives. We’re thankful for the neighbourhood that supports us — so this is our chance to give back.
Across our six locations, the volunteers and staff were incredible: moving turkeys, directing guests, bagging items, offering smiles and kindness at every step. Even when early-morning chill set in, the mood stayed warm. We did this because we wanted everyone — long-time customers, new neighbours, passers-by — to feel welcome and supported.
What’s next? Well, we’re already thinking ahead. As the holiday season continues, we’ll be ramping up our efforts with upcoming food and toy drives, so that the spirit of giving extends from Thanksgiving through the rest of the year. We hope those who received a turkey on Oct 11 will savour the moment, share it with loved ones, and remember that sometimes the simplest acts make the biggest difference.
From everyone at CAFE: thank you. Thank you to our staff, our volunteers, our community members who showed up, and everyone who helped make this year’s drive run smoothly. If you missed the giveaway this time, keep an eye out for our next one — we’ll be back and ready to serve.
